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DNA, or deoxyribonucleic acid, is the hereditary material in humans and almost all other organisms. Nearly every cell in a person’s body has the same DNA. Most DNA is located in the cell nucleus (where it is called nuclear DNA), but a small amount of DNA can also be found in the mitochondria (where it is called mitochondrial DNA or mtDNA).

LMO1 gene variation can increase neuroblastoma risk

Pediatric cancer researchers have identified variations in a gene as important contributors to neuroblastoma, the most common solid cancer of early childhood. The study team, led by researchers at The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, found that common variants in the LMO1 gene increase the risk of developing an aggressive form of neuroblastoma, and also mark the gene for continuing to drive the cancer's progression once it forms.

2 Dec 2010

Researchers identify blip in gene that causes JMP syndrome

UT Southwestern Medical Center researchers have identified a gene responsible for a rare disease that results in severe joint stiffness, muscle loss, anemia and panniculitis-induced lipodystrophy, or JMP syndrome.

2 Dec 2010

Study finds duplicated region of DNA in major depressive disorder

A large genetic study of people with major depression has found that a duplicated region of DNA on chromosome 5 predisposes people to the disorder. The gene involved plays an important role in the development of nerve cells, adding to evidence that disruptions in neurotransmission networks form a biological basis for depression.

1 Dec 2010

Genes linked to one-night stands and acts of infidelity

So, he or she has cheated on you for the umpteenth time and their only excuse is: "I just can't help it." According to researchers at Binghamton University, they may be right. The propensity for infidelity could very well be in their DNA.

1 Dec 2010

New findings on folic acid supplementation reveal causes of low birth weight

Groundbreaking work by a team of UK scientists has identified, for the first time, a link between changes in the DNA of newborn babies, folic acid supplementation during pregnancy, and birth weight.

1 Dec 2010

Initial data from resminostat Phase II Hodgkin Lymphoma trial to be presented at 52nd ASH

4SC, a drug discovery and development company focused on autoimmune and cancer indications, today announced that initial safety and efficacy data from its ongoing Phase II Study with resminostat, a pan-Histone Deacetylase (HDAC) Inhibitor, in relapsed/refractory Hodgkin Lymphoma (HL) patients after high dose chemotherapy and autologous hematopoietic stem cell transplantation will be presented at the 52nd Annual Meeting of the American Society of Hematology (ASH) in Orlando, Florida, USA.

1 Dec 2010

China Medical Technologies prices $125 million convertible senior notes offering

China Medical Technologies, Inc., a leading China-based advanced in-vitro diagnostic ("IVD") company, today announced that it increased the size of its previously announced offering of convertible senior notes. On November 30, 2010, the Company priced US$125 million in aggregate principal amount of convertible senior notes due 2016 at an issue price of 100%. The transaction is expected to close on December 6, 2010, subject to satisfaction of various customary closing conditions.

1 Dec 2010

Results of pixantrone phase III trial for non-Hodgkin's lymphoma to be presented at Hematology Meeting

Cell Therapeutics, Inc. announced today that Ruth Pettengell, M.D. of St. George's Hospital, University of London, the lead investigator for the PIX 301 EXTEND trial will present end of study results for the pixantrone phase III trial in relapsed/refractory aggressive non-Hodgkin's lymphoma at the 52nd Annual Meeting of the American Society of Hematology on Sunday, December 5, 2010 in Orlando, Florida.

1 Dec 2010

Research could lead to new drug treatment for metabolic diseases

A team of Harvard School of Public Health (HSPH) scientists report finding a molecular "switch" that can "turn off" some cellular processes that are protective against aging and metabolic diseases. While more research is needed, the findings may open doors for new drug treatments to halt or slow development of metabolic diseases like type 2 diabetes or heart disease. The research findings appear in the December 1, 2010 issue of Cell Metabolism.

1 Dec 2010

Mitochondrial dysfunction observed in children with full syndrome autism

Preliminary research has found that children with autism are more likely to have impaired mitochondrial function (structures within cells responsible for energy production) and mitochondrial DNA abnormalities than typically developing children, according to a study in the December 1 issue of JAMA.

1 Dec 2010

Roche NimbleGen announces NewGene as first certified service provider in the UK

Roche NimbleGen announces that Newcastle-based genomic services provider NewGene Ltd. has officially become a Certified Service Provider (CSP) for NimbleGen Sequence Capture. They will provide services for NimbleGen Sequence Capture Arrays with sequencing on the Genome Sequencer FLX System from 454 Life Sciences, a Roche Company.

1 Dec 2010

Researchers reveal ultra-fast processes of DNA photostability

The genetic material of DNA contains shielding mechanisms to protect itself from the exposure to the UV light emitted by the sun. This is of crucial importance, since without photostability i.e. without programmed defense mechanisms against UV irradiation a rapid degradation of DNA and RNA would be the consequence. As part of a project funded by the Austrian Science Fund (FWF) a group of researchers led by Hans Lischka, Quantum Chemist of the University of Vienna, Austria, could, for the first time, comprehensively unravel these ultra-fast processes of the photostability of the nucleobases.

30 Nov 2010

Cytheris' combinational therapy demonstrates possible therapeutic strategy for PML

Cytheris SA, a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company focused on research and development of new therapies for immune modulation, today announced the publication of a case study report based on successful treatment of Progressive Multifocal Leukoencephalopathy (PML) with combination therapy consisting of two investigational agents, Cytheris' recombinant human interleukin-7 (CYT107) and CMX001, an investigational, oral broad-spectrum antiviral drug (Chimerix, Research Triangle Park, NC) in the Journal of Antimicrobial Chemotherapy.

30 Nov 2010

Genetic screening for Lynch syndrome as cost-effective as other cancer screening procedures

Myriad Genetics, Inc. today said results from a major health economics study in Cancer Prevention Research, a journal of the American Association for Cancer Research (AACR), found that screening for inherited gene mutations in the genes that cause a major colorectal cancer syndrome called Lynch Syndrome, is both medically and cost effective.

30 Nov 2010

GeoVax supports Bionor's Phase 2b trial of therapeutic HIV/AIDS vaccine

GeoVax Labs, Inc., an Atlanta-based, biopharmaceutical company developing human vaccines for HIV/AIDS (HIV-1, Human Immunodeficiency Virus), announced it was pleased to learn of the partial success observed in the recently completed Phase 2b trial of a therapeutic HIV/AIDS vaccine produced by Bionor Immuno AS of Oslo, Norway.

30 Nov 2010

Drugs that target DNA in later-stage cancers could be effective in treating breast tumors

Breast cancers that arise sporadically, rather than through inheritance of certain genes, likely start with defects of DNA repair mechanisms that allow environmentally triggered mutations to accumulate, according to researchers at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Magee-Womens Hospital of UPMC and the University of Pittsburgh Cancer Institute.

30 Nov 2010

IRIS announces product acquisition from BioMicro Systems

IRIS International, Inc., a leading manufacturer of automated in-vitro diagnostics systems and a provider of high value personalized medicine products and testing services, announced today that it has acquired the assets of a multi-purpose, bench-top instrument platform for automating highly repetitive, manual laboratory protocols for (F)ISH (fluorescence in-situ hybridization) testing and other slide-based cytogenetic applications.

30 Nov 2010

NIAID scientists confirm antiviral activity of two lead compounds against HPV

Tamir Biotechnology, Inc. announced today that scientists supported by the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) reported test results confirming two of our lead compounds showed excellent in vitro antiviral activity and no cellular toxicity at dose levels tested for Human Papillomavirus (HPV).

30 Nov 2010

Medivation, Astellas enroll 1,199 patients in MDV3100 Phase 3 AFFIRM study in advanced prostate cancer

Medivation, Inc. and Astellas Pharma Inc. today announced that patient enrollment was completed on November 15, 2010 in the Phase 3 AFFIRM study of the investigational drug MDV3100, a novel, triple-acting oral androgen receptor antagonist, in patients with advanced prostate cancer who have previously been treated with chemotherapy. The companies also announced that clinical development of MDV3100 in Japan has commenced, with the initiation of patient dosing in a Phase 1-2 clinical study.

30 Nov 2010

Gen-Probe submits PMA to FDA for APTIMA HPV assay to detect cervical cancer

Gen-Probe Incorporated announced today that the Company has submitted a Premarket Approval Application (PMA) to the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for its APTIMA® HPV (human papillomavirus) assay, a new molecular test that detects high-risk HPV infections that are associated with cervical cancer and precancerous lesions.

30 Nov 2010